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josevsilva
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bhaarat
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wessam20
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cute_smiley
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hello everybody! this is my first post but i also have smth to share with you. I started my preparation for GMAT from the beginning of Aug this year and that wasn't actual preparation as i understood later but on my first test (Oct 5, 2006) i got 510 (Q 45, V17 :( ) Verbal part is my weak part of the exam. After the test i understood there is smth more i have to study and i found lots of strategies i didn't know before (Before i used no books just tests whish i downloaded from the internet).

My second try i had yesterday i was preparing for it for a month and i was 100% sure i'll get at least 650 as i read the books and practiced more. But yesterday when the screen showed me 570 (Q39, V28) I concentrated this time more on verbal part but i lost on quant :(

Now i'm reading all your posts and to make a plan and change my strategy to improve the scores. Also i'm a bit dissapointed with all the book as they don't reflect the real test. On the CD tests from the book i had 700, 720, 690 but the real test is much harder. Now im' looking for the hardest questions the GMAT has and asking you to advice me some.

Also i heard so many things about OG (Official Guide i guess) Can somebody send me a link where i can find or buy this book.
Thank you in advance.
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positive soul
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Hi guys,

Thank you once again for your kind words and sorry for the late reply (but I was enjoying my "GMAT free time" :lol:

To answer some of the questions:

cute_smiley

Check out this link. These tools are Key to a good score. Don't forget to download the GMATPrep software.

https://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT/Take ... YouPrepare

I know you want to improve your verbal skills but you should not forget about the quant. I had the same problem like you did. I put too much effort to improve my quant but my verbal scores were actually going down. So I started to allocate the same amount of time for both sections (when possible).


wessam20

In my case, it took me about 3 months. However, I believe it could be done in less if you put the time and committment.

josevsilva

6 weeks should be enough. However, track your improvement and be honest with yourself. If you are still too far from your target and you don't feel confortable with yourself, I will reconsider the test date. However, don't be discouraged if you get low scores in your practice tests. As you will read in many posts in the GMAT Club, sometimes people actually do better in the real test than in the practice tests. All depends on the test provider (Kaplan, Princeton, etc).. The GMATprep software is the best way to assess yourself. I notice improvement after taking my GMATprep test #1 and analizing each question carefully. My advise is to study for 3 weeks and take your first test. I know some people say to save these tests for the end but I believe it is useful to take sometime to analize each question to learn from them, and retake the test a few times until you feel comfortable. I will save the last test for the last week of preparation.
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Paul
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Hi positive soul, boy your name fits you well! Your story is such an inspiring one that it will now be a beacon for many members for the years to come. You are so right about the GMAT taking such a toll in your life... I also had to sacrifice so much during the preparation time which took me about 2 years until I got what I wanted so I definitely understand what you mean.
You should definitely stick around to the club and give a helping hand to other new members. Keep in touch and do like many of us did after having completed our GMAT. Last but not least, C O N G R A T U L A T I O N ! ! !
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Hermione
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Wow! Was very inspired by your story, positive soul. I am scheduled to take my exam in 2 weeks and i'm starting to get REALLY nervous. You're post helped me calm down a bit and be more optimistic.

All the best with your apps! And thanks for sharing your success story!
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positive soul
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Thank you Paul!!

I will definitively remain as an active member of this club.
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rsk8897
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Wow, Can you share with me how did you raise 700 score?
What book did you use? How did you manage your time?

Thank you
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prude_sb
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positive soul ... amazing story and what a great achievement. CONGRATULATIONS !!!
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation of how you improved your score. All the things you have mentioned there about careless mistakes and other usual pitfalls people fall in while studying are soooo true...this story will really help those who are trying to improve their score ... thanks man ... really inspiring story ...
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salr15
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Thanks for the great post and a belated congrats! Not sure if you still check the site but wanted to see if you got excepted to any schools yet?
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RyanS
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pelihu's comment makes me think - does a 500-700 jump get viewed more favorably than a 700 at 1st attempt?[/quote]

If this were so, wouldn't we all go in there and bomb one? Hell I'll show you a 400 point increase if thats the case.
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positive soul
Hi guys,

I just came back from the test center with a big smile on my face. :-D

Got a 700 (Q47, V39). As many of you guys remember, I joined this site after getting a 420 back in October. I was feeling so down that I chose "positive soul" as my username. I have to say that the road was not easy, but I found very helpful all the support I got from you guys.

I am exhausted, so I will write in more details in the next few days.

Now, I am going to sleep. :-D

Remember to never give up.


Great Stuff congrats
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rhyme
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bumping for sticky.
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gablaze23
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congrats dude!!!
one of the most inspiring stories ive heard!
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Strong Will
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Positive Soul your story was definitely God sent. I happened to see this site randomly today and your post was the first I visited. I took my first official GMAT in Feb 07 and after scoring in the high 300s I became so discouraged at the idea of going to bschool that I started slacking on my study schedule. I finally mustered up the courage last week to get my act together and by reading your story I know it is definitely doable. I'm even more excited to hear you'll be joining the Lauder Institute at Wharton because I'm highly interested in that program. I've given myself 3 months to crack into the 500s and thereafter I'll start focusing on pursuing the 700+. I'll keep in touch but best of luck with everything Positive Soul!! Your story is my inspiration.

Strong Will
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This is really inspiring and motivating, I have been preparing for GMAT since last three months now. I had taken few Kaplan tests and getting scroe in the range of 500-580. I felt quite upset after seeing my scores, but I think afer reading this motivating story , I will get back to my preparation and try to break the 750 barrier.
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snow wolf
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Hi everyone,
I have been a regular contributor,but positive soul's score is still an inspiration for me.I got 430 on my first attempt in December,in April my score was 560.I really want to get at least 700 to give me a good chance to get into either York University or University of Toronto.
Any advice and encouragement will be greatly appreciated.Once again congrats, Positive soul.
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GMATT73
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Seriously dude, with that sort of dedication I think you could just about succeed in almost anything you put your mind too. Good luck at Wharton and congrats on the well deserved admit.
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Professor
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Truly Inspiring. What a commiittment and dedication: you were carrying your Gmat book all over the place you visited.

Congratulation and goodluck.


Professor
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